Job Description

Overview

The Allen Discovery Center is dedicated to the advancement of basic biology and biomedicine, and to becoming a leader in an integrated approach to the control of biological structure and function. Through a combination of developmental biophysics, computer science, and cognitive science, the work of the center seeks a multi-level understanding of natural and synthetic living forms. Exploiting novel mechanisms of cellular decision-making, we seek to understand and augment the information processing, computation, and patterning processes that implement the generation and regenerative repair of anatomical structures.

Our goal is to complement the mainstream advances focused on the genetically-specified hardware of live with new approaches to reprogramming the physiological software inherent to living tissues. Technology is being developed to modulate the bioelectric communication that enables cells to coordinate their activities toward specific anatomical and functional outcomes. Using this bioelectric interface, we develop ways to exploit the collective intelligence of cells toward transformative applications in birth defects, regenerative medicine, cancer reprogramming, and synthetic bioengineering. 

What You'll Do

We are seeking a versatile and highly motivated Research Technician, who will report to the Administrative Director at our Center and assist both staff scientist researcher and animal husbandry staff. The work takes place in a teaching / learning environment within a supportive lab, and appropriate training will be provided.

• This individual will aid the PI with a broad range of bench top lab techniques supporting multiple projects in a developmental biology-focused lab.
• Up to 75 percent of the primary tasks will include culturing and manipulating amphibian embryos, examining whether treatments alter embryonic development, brightfield and fluorescent microscopy, immunohistochemistry, time-lapse imaging, data recording/analysis, and general lab responsibilities. 
• T he remaining time will be dedicated focusing on aquatic animal husbandry: maintaining resident stocks of multiple organisms (primarily Xenopus laevis frogs and may include planaria, zebrafish and axolotls), and their housing equipment.
• The ideal candidate must be observant, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple concurrent tasks with excellent verbal and written communication skills. Experience with vertebrate or invertebrate model organisms is valuable, but not required.

What We're Looking For

Basic Requirements:

• Knowledge and skills as typically acquired by a Bachelor’s degree in a STEM field of focus: biochemistry, biology, biomedical engineering, or a related discipline is required, with 1–2 years of molecular biology experience in an academic or industrial laboratory.
• Standard background in biological research: making solutions, microscopy, pipetting, electronic laboratory notebooks
• Background work with an in vivo or in vitro biological system (i.e. any living organism)
• Understanding of how different water parameters can interact. ex: ammonia byproducts interact with pH, adding buffers can also change salinity
• Comfortable following the instructions of the veterinary team and supervising staff and asking clarifying questions when needed 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with basic statistics, image analysis software, and Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop a plus.  This individual must be an extremely organized person, with excellent interpersonal and analytical skills.  The ideal candidate will have the ability to multi-task, be able to work independently, and possess a strong drive toward excellence in state-of-the-art research
• experience with a biological model species
• experience with computerized water monitoring systems
• understanding of common plumbing and tubing types used in aquatic housing systems

Special Work Schedule Requirements:

Requires the ability to be organized in a fast-paced environment and demands detailed work on multiple concurrent tasks requiring concentrated attention.   While performing the duties of this job, the employee may be required to work with toxic or caustic chemicals. The employee is regularly exposed to cool, wet and/or humid conditions; potentially working with moving mechanical parts; fumes or airborne particles. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Pay Range


Minimum $20.10, Midpoint $23.90, Maximum $27.70




Salary is based on related experience, expertise, and internal equity; generally, new hires can expect pay between the minimum and midpoint of the range.

About Tufts University

This is Tufts. Tufts is a student-centered research university with a constellation of world-class schools encompassing undergraduate, graduate, professional, and lifelong learning programs. Across the university, students satisfy their intellectual curiosity, jump-start rewarding careers, and unlock bright, promising futures. Through rigorous academics, groundbreaking research, and a commitment to civic engagement and leadership, our community of students, faculty, and staff collaborate across four Massachusetts campuses to build a brighter world (Medford/Somerville, Grafton, Boston-Chinatown, and Boston-Fenway). Our employees light the way. Tufts develops innovative solutions for the most complex global challenges of our time through teaching, research, and an unparalleled investment in civic engagement. In administration and operations, in dining centers and in labs, every employee plays a role in our mission for a better, brighter world. At Tufts, the work you do matters. So do you. Enjoy flexible and remote opportunities, innovative benefits, and an inclusive, welcoming, collaborative culture that supports you. Develop your skills. Take classes. Advance your career. ... Do work that makes you proud in a community you love. All while taking great care of yourself and the people who matter most. We’re all in on creating an anti-racist culture of belonging. Across Tufts, we’ve deepened our commitment to making the university a truly inclusive place. Where every member of our community contributes and feels like they belong. Where diverse perspectives are seen as our strength, and great ideas are always heard. In offices, labs, classrooms, and beyond, we’re doing this work together, knowing it is the foundation of our mission to create a brighter world. An innovative university needs resourceful people who make things happen. Here, collaboration isn’t just a buzzword, colleagues actually care, and community means everything. Sound appealing? Come join us. Choose a campus and find the role that fits you. Tufts University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. We are committed to increasing the diversity of our faculty and staff and fostering their success when hired. Members of underrepresented groups are welcome and strongly encouraged to apply. See the University’s Non-Discrimination statement and policy here If you are an applicant with a disability who is unable to use our online tools to search and apply for jobs, please contact us by calling the Office of Equal Opportunity (OEO) at 617-627-3298 or at oeo@tufts.edu. Applicants can learn more about requesting reasonable accommodations at

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Job Tags

Remote job, Flexible hours,

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